In a Country Churchyard

This photo might look like it was taken in a country church, but actually in Beeston Parish Church. Location of yesterday's wedding. The names on the graves are of no significance, I just took it because I like the way the ivy is growing round the stones and the light dancing around the edges.

Get Me To The Church On Time

Whilst passing Beeston Parish Church, I heard the peal of wedding bells. So I decided to take a look and saw all these guests waiting outside for the bride & groom to appear. So I took a snap, as it's always interesting to see what people do whilst they are hanging around. There's various little scenes going on in the sunshine.
Yes it has been sunny all weekend!

Music in the Sunshine

Something unusual happened yesterday; the sun came out nearly all day & it didn't rain. This group of musicians in Beeston Square were obviously relieved, as they could play to an audience, rather than empty chairs. Their outfits also matched the sunny day.

Open for Business

Yesterday L'Occitane, the French cosmetics company opened their new store on Bridalsmithgate. I was surprised it had opened so quickly, as I had passed there the day before & the builders were still working on the inside. I was also a little disappointed that I had missed the grand opening by just a few minutes. No one famous cut the ribbon, just a guy whom I took to be a one of the big bosses.

None For Tea

A list has recently been compiled regarding the winners & losers during this bad weather. Obviously one of the winners have been umbrella sellers, while some of the losers have been tourist attractions, and as with this photo; cafe & restaurant owners. Here we see several empty chairs and tables, whereas if it was sunny, people would be sitting there eating snacks and drinking tea.

Caves of Good Hope

Yesterday I was telling you about the Brewhouse Yard Museum, but I didn't say is that the building itself is built into the rock that the Castle is built upon. Today's photo shows the join and it's where the World War 2 display is held, and how people survived during the Blitz.

You Can't Buy Things This Way Anymore

Close to the Castle, and adjoining the Trip to Jerusalem is the Brewhouse Yard Museum. It's a small museum, but each room is packed with things from a bygone age. One of the rooms, which I am showing here represents a corner shop. These used to be quite common across the country, before the giant supermarkets swallowed up all the trade.

Oh Look, It's Raining

Every day I cycle into work, and most nights over the last couple of weeks I have got soaked cycling home. Last night I hoped I'd be lucky and arrive home dry. But the heavens opened, and there was this almighty storm. So I thought I'd take a photo to remind people who are having hot, sunny weather, what rain looks like.

Flower Jamboree

This brilliantly designed flowerbed in the Castle grounds, has been created to mark the centenary of the Scouting movement. It's 100 years sing Lord Baden Powell decided to teach boys how to tie knots, start campfires and sing "Ging Gang Goolie".
I was never a scout, but thousands of boys have been. Were you one?

Ride My Silver Unicorn

On at the moment in the Castle, is an exhibition entitled 'cult fiction: art and comics'. Quite a few drawings and comic books are on display. But I was attracted to this sculpture of a unicorn. I had to take the photograph quickly, as you're not supposed to use a camera inside the castle, so I don't think I've done the model justice, as it's quite detailed.

Snake on the Road

This is the emblem of an AC Cobra sports car. It's an interesting and very striking design. One you wouldn't really connect with motoring. Jaguars yes, being sleek and quick. I guess they are saying that their cars are also quick and also have some bite (speed).

"Eyes Down, Look In"

These words are very familiar to those people that play bingo. But these days, this former cinema on Alfreton Road has become a church. So it is at least being used, even though it is looking a bit run down and forlorn.

The building is a great example of art deco architecture, and Nottingham is lucky enough to still have a few left, although they are no longer used as cinemas.

Lion in the Grass

Here's another lion photo. This time taken in the Market Square. I don't know where this particular lion is off to, sitting majestically in his trolley. One of the stone lions doesn't look too pleased with this interloper.

Oh La La

A French market came to town on Friday, selling everything from cheese to pottery. They should have sold umbrellas, as it rained all day long. There weren't that many customers about, so I managed to take this one with no problems. These shoes & bags were about the brightest things, on what was a very dull day.

The Mane Chance

Just spotted this lion sculpture by accident, as I was looking at something else to snap at the time.

Ham (London DP), seems to have elephants as a regular theme. With me it appears to be lions, as this is about the 5th picture I've taken so far.

Stairway to Heaven

Not quite, but this photo shows what the inside of a newly constructed building looks like. This building is part of the Trinity Square shopping development, close to the Victoria Centre. The area has gone through several changes down the years. Before these buildings arrived, it was a multi-storey car park, and before that, the Holy Trinity church stood there, which had the tallest steeple in the city.

The War Film

At the moment in the Central Library's Angel Row Gallery, an exhibition is running about the civil war in Croatia. It is presented by a number of Croatian artists. With drawings, paintings and a very strange short film. Here is a photo I took from the film. I don't know if the people wearing white cardboard boxes on their heads are goodies & brown boxes are baddies, and why they are standing in what looks like a very big greenhouse?

Going Through Changes 2

A few weeks ago (June 16), I showed you a photo of a building that is getting a new lease of life, after being shut for several years. Here is an update. Although the inside has been completely gutted, it looks very similar on the outside with just the old shop sigh being replaced and the wooden panels being painted blue.

Wanted, Somebody to Love

Passed this shop window on Huntingdon Street the other day, and was instantly taken by the line up of characters. They looked a bit like a soft toy version of 'The Usual Suspects'. The shop actually sells cups, plates etc that you can decorate yourself. Which makes for an interesting and unique gift for someone.

So who would like to take one of these adorable cuddly animals home?

Help!

If there's ever a serious disaster or accident in Nottingham, here's a range of vehicles that would come to our aid. There was an event earlier in the week, where the emergency services showed off their hardware and what would would happen in a serious emergency. It's reassuring to know that they are out there ready.

At The Rainbow's End

The wet weather is continuing across Britain, and has been predicted to remain for the rest of July. As last night it was raining and sun shining at the same time, a rainbow appeared in the sky.

I've tried to capture it the best I could. But I think it's difficult to snap something that isn't really there.

The Sky's The Limit

As many of you will know, England has been experiencing some very strange weather recently. It has rained practically everyday for the last 3 weeks or so. Some parts of the country have had, and still have floods. But then we have had really hot sun. A typical summer's day.

The sky itself is constantly changing. One minute it is very dark grey and full of rain. The next it is clear and blue, with little fluffy clouds.

Here is a shot of the sky which sort of contains the two. I think it looks very dramatic, and colourful.

Window Wiper

Last year I published a photo of a window cleaner who was using a very long pole. This window cleaner has an even longer one. In fact it was so long, I couldn't get the end into my shot. A passer by is in active conversation with him, so he's a little obscured.

Pigeon Post

My small salute to Abraham Lincoln's Brookville DP wonderful site, where most days he posts a photo of an animal or bird that visits his garden. Alas my small British garden doesn't run to raccoons, exotic birds or rabbits. This pigeon seemed quite happy to have his photo taken, and didn't blink an eye, as I edged closer and closer.

July 1: Theme Day - Red

My offering for the theme day is this reflection of a sports car on another sports car. The cars in question are Caterham Seven's. You have the choice of buying it either in kit form, or ready assembled. The vehicle is probably most famous for being the one that Patrick McGoohan drove in the 1960's TV series; The Prisoner.

Here is the list of sites that are participating this month:
Shanghai, China - Mumbai, India - New York City (NY), USA - Manila, Philippines - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Hamburg, Germany - Stayton (OR), USA - Los Angeles (CA), USA - Hyde, UK - Oslo, Norway - Brookville (OH), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Stavanger, Norway - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Joplin (MO), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Selma (AL), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Chandler (AZ), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Seattle (WA), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Arradon, France - Evry, France - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Boston (MA), USA - Grenoble, France - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Hilo (HI), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - La Antigua, Guatemala - Brisbane (QLD), Australia - Singapore, Singapore - Tel Aviv, Israel - Hong Kong, China - Sequim (WA), USA - Paderborn, Germany - Saarbrücken, Germany - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Tenerife, Spain - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Sydney, Australia - Naples (FL), USA - Cologne (NRW), Germany - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Mainz, Germany - Toruń, Poland - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Singapore, Singapore - North Bay (ON), Canada - Jakarta, Indonesia - Montréal (QC), Canada - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Baziège, France - San Diego (CA), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - New York (NY), USA - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Sharon (CT), USA - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Nottingham, UK - Villigen, Switzerland - Chicago (IL), USA - Torquay, UK - Brussels, Belgium - San Diego (CA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Cape Town, South Africa - Paris, France - Seoul, Korea - Manila, Philippines - Milano, Italy - Austin (TX), USA - Chennai, India - Madrid, Spain - Seoul, South Korea - Wailea (HI), USA - Toronto (ON), Canada - Ajaccio, France - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Zurich, Switzerland - Sydney, Australia - Budapest, Hungary - Moscow, Russia - Auckland, New Zealand - Torino, Italy